Hello, glad to have finally made my purchase of the MX61, and to have found this forum. Being an old analog guy, I’m sure I’ll ask many questions, but the main question I have now, is: Can the MX be configured to Contol Reaper the way it does Cubase, utilizing all the DAW control functions. I’m not technically up on midi code, and really a bit technically challenged, but I’m a quick study. I will however need a bit of basic tutoring to undetstand a lot of the terminology. OKAY, I’m a guitarist, there, I said it. I will be using the MX strictly for a home studio, and not performance, and definitely want some great b3, Rhodes, Grand, and Farfisa sounds, as I’m a Classic Prog band fanatic, ei Pink Floyd, King Crimson, ELP, etc.
Sorry my first post is so long, but I wanted to acknowledge my lack of knowledge right out of the gate. Any, and all help greatly appreciated!
Cheers, Keith

We moved your post from the Lounge to the dedicated MX Forum since this seems appropriate as you question is concerning the functions of the MX61.

The MX comes with templates for CUBASE, SONAR, LOGIC PRO, DIGITAL PERFORMER
There is no specific template for Reaper, sorry. That is not to say some functions may work. If you are not MIDI savvy, this will not prevent you from using whatever DAW you wish to use. Just don’t worry about the things you might be missing.

Learn to use your DAW from its own graphic user interface, and learn how to set the MX as your MIDI controller/tone generator. The basics of setup are very much the same for all the different DAWs, having the tight integration of one that has a specific template will not necessarily be possible, but that does not mean you can’t use whatever DAW you’d like.

Hi Bad_ Mister, sorry for posting in the wrong area. I do have another question while I have your attention.

I just purchased my MX yesterday, after months of reading, and playing around with it, and noticed in several places that it was being shipped with Cubase AI7 now, and the only date stamp on the box says April/8/2014. Should it have sbipped with 7, and if so, can I update it when I register my software? And lastly, if I cannot get all the control over Reaper with tbe DAW remote function, will I still be able to use the YC3b, and Prologue voices, as plug ins if thats the correct term, in Reaper? I may find that Cubase does everything I want, and stick with it
only time, and experience will tell.
Best Regards, and thank you, Keith

I just purchased my MX yesterday, after months of reading, and playing around with it, and noticed in several places that it was being shipped with Cubase AI7 now, and the only date stamp on the box says April/8/2014. Should it have sbipped with 7…

No Yamaha products ship with Cubase 7, perhaps you meant AI7.

Either a DVD-ROM containing the version of AI that was current at the time the product left the factory or a code to activate AI was in the box, (AI7, which is fairly new, is made available as a download).. This of course, depends on where in the world you are, I can only speak for the USA (that’s how it is here). Your mileage may differ depending on where you are, and when your product left the factory.

The Prologue analog synth and the YC-3B organ model are VST3 compatible software, check with whatever DAW you are going to use, if they are VST3 compatible you should be able to run them. If not, then no.

By installing and registering your copy of AI, you are eligible to purchase (at a discount) the full version of Cubase, now at 7.5.

I’m sorry if I didn’t make it clear, I did however ask if it shipped now with AI7, as mine has AI6, and I think you answered the question, that the upgrade is available as a download. I’m surprised there isn’t more you can tell me about Reaper compatibility, From what I read, I assumed that while it is above my current abilites, that eventually I could make my own template. Reaper is a very popular, and well built DAW, so I’d be very surprised if they didn’t take all major protocols into consideration, and would be super disappointed if I can’t get the YC3b to work. If you are not familiar with Reaper, maybe in the future, if you aren’t slammed 24/7/365, you could take a look. I know that Yamaha really wants to sell more Steinberg software, and I may love AI enough to get the full version, but I’m pretty stuck on Reaper. I hope that clears up the AI6, AI7 issue, I am fully aware it’s a scaled back version to learn the DAWs basic characteristic from, so I guess we’ll see. If you can add anything that will guide me through this issue, I would be EXTREMELY grateful. Aso, I’m in Virginia, same country, same time zone!  ;)

Best Regards, Keith

No, perhaps I was not clear… There is no “upgrade path” from one AI version to the next, sorry, not at all.
The upgrade is from AI (which is provided FREE to the original purchaser) to a commercially available version like Cubase 7.5 or Cubase Artist 7.5

There is no path from AI to AI, that is NOT available. Try to understand the reason for including the AI version, you get whichever AI version that was available at the time your MX leaves the factory. When series 7 became available, AI6 was replaced, so that units leaving the factory after that point ship with an authorization code and instructions how to download AI7. Downloads reduce the overall cost by eliminating the DVD.... You might buy an MX today and it might have a DVD with AI6 in the box. It depends on which version was current at the time it was leaving the factory

If you received AI6 there is no method for you to receive AI7. For what Yamaha and Steinberg want you to see there is no fundamental difference. You will be able to see the Yamaha Steinberg integration features in either version. Which one you get is totally based on when your MX was boxed, period. Both allow you to insert and use an XML file that lists all your Preset Voices, both will respond to the Remote DAW Control functions, etc., etc., etc. No free version to free version upgrades (sic) exist. Upgrade involves you, purchasing (with actual money) a full commercial version. Period. Hope that is clear!!!

If you visit the Steinberg site you will see that upgrades are between lesser versions and commercially available (means FOR SALE) versions. There is no benefit whatsoever to provide AI6 users with AI7… That is not an “upgrade”. Sorry, if you are totally not understanding this.

But the idea is to whet the appetite of the MX purchaser to PURCHASE a full featured version of Cubase. The full versions do so much more. Hope that helps. Downloading AI7 without an activation code does nothing - you will not be able to use it, at all. Sorry.

And you are correct at Yamaha we want you to consider Cubase (the best selling of all DAW softwares), Steinberg are innovators in this area developing not only the whole VST protocol but also the entire ASIO (Audio Streaming Input/Output) protocol so widely in use on planet Earth!

Thanks, I stick with Cubase. The templates offered are for those platforms that can be controlled directly and have offered a method to be controlled that makes musical sense. Maybe one day your favorite program will reach the top end in popularity. Does it allow VST and ASIO protocol, then you can use it, but as to tight integration, currently that is offered for Cubase, Logic Pro, Sonar, and Digital Performer, only.

Yes, you have made it crystal clear that Yamaha doesn’t want me to use what I feel comfortable with, so that I’ll spend $4-600.00 on a DAW that does no more than the one I’d prefer using. Of course the salespeople at Sam Ash assured me that it would work with any DAW I wanted. However, I have one last question for you. I track to an MTR, which I can do from the stereo pair. If I load AI6, YC3b, and Prolougue, will those go to Cubase AI6 via USB, and back to the MX and output through the stereo pair so I can track them on my MTR? If that’s the case, I’m a happy camper. And I think I asked the question appropriately the first post, but your answer sounded like I expected to download the full version that I’m fully aware costs money. I’ve spent well over $20,000.00 on my guitar gear alone, I just wanted the most current “teaser” since I bought it two days ago. So, if you could answer tbe simple question about tracking the VSTs included through AI6, into my MTR, I should be okay on my own from there.
Thank you for your patience, KeithC 35 years of analog knowledge, lost in a sea of 1’s, and 0’s.

If you want to use your MX to control Reaper set the MX up for Cubase and then in Reaper select Mackie Universal as the control surface.  You’ll then need to experiment a bit to see what works, but the transport, volume and pan control should map OK.

Wow!

Wow as in my last post in reply to your post thinking I’m so stupid that I thought I could upgrade to the full version for free? I think you misunderstood my questions, I know you can’t apend time sorting out semantic differences all day, but I feel it put us off on the wrong foot.  Or, perhaps the Wow was for the post about using Mackie Universal for control of Reaper. Wow is a little vague, could you expand, or maybe answer the questions in my reply to your very adamant assertion that I have use real money? I certainly realized that before our first correspondence, as I too am a pretty intelligent being on “this PLANET”. I’m not trying to be a jerk, but feel a bit patronized, misunderstood, and as if I’ve been spoken to like a child. I am simply learning something new, and I learn best, and quickest through Q and A, and mean no disrespect, but I’m not used to being talked down to.
Thank you, Keith

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